Willow Springs dam
Willow Springs
Willow Springs, located in Coconino County, Arizona, is a state-regulated water resource managed by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. This rockfill dam, completed in 1970, serves primarily for recreational purposes and spans 700 feet in length with a maximum height of 80 feet. The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 3,654 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 150 acres, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-based activities.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Willow Springs poses minimal danger to surrounding areas. The uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 46 feet, can handle a maximum discharge of 3,055 cubic feet per second. Despite the lack of a formal condition assessment, the dam is regularly inspected every five years to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations. The dam's location in a scenic area near the WILLOW SPRINGS river/stream, just 60 miles from WINSLOW, offers a picturesque backdrop for visitors to enjoy nature and engage in recreational activities.
Overall, Willow Springs is a well-maintained water resource that provides both recreational opportunities and a reliable source of water storage. Its management by the Arizona Department of Water Resources and state regulation ensure the safety and sustainability of the dam, contributing to the conservation and enjoyment of this vital natural resource in Coconino County. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Willow Springs offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human engineering and environmental stewardship in the arid landscape of Arizona.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Willow Springs -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Verde R Div From East Clear Cr Nr Pine | 5 cfs | → |
| Chevelon Fork Below Wildcat Canyon | · | → |
| Tonto Creek Abv Gun Creek | 2 cfs | → |
| Cherry Creek Near Globe | 3 cfs | → |
| South Fork Parker Creek Near Roosevelt | 0 cfs | → |
| Cibecue Creek Near Chysotile | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Springs.
Campgrounds
- Sinkhole Campground
- Sinkhole
- Fr 171 Campground
- Rim Campground
- Larson Ridge Camping Area
- Canyon Point Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- One Mile Below Woods Canyon Lake Dam (Woods Canyon) To Confluence With Chevelon Canyon
- Confluence Of Woods Canyon And Chevelon Creek To South End Of Chevelon Lake
- Canyon Creek Springs To Fort Apache Indian Reservation Boundary
- Christopher Creek
More reservoirs
Track Willow Springs in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Willow Springs
Where does the data for Willow Springs come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Willow Springs.